Thursday, July 23, 2026

Whereas, Mrs. Edwards is receiving one of the highest honors bestowed in the renaming of the student services area at Miami Northwestern Senior High School to the Dorothy Edwards Student Services Center; Whereas, during her tenure with Miami-Dade Northwestern Senior High School, Mrs. Edwards was a business teacher, all-girls dean and later became the school's assistant principal from 1955 until her retirement in 1971; Whereas, Mrs. Edwards was the second female physical education teacher hired by the Miami-Dade County Public School System and was also a teacher, counselor and administrator for students at Booker T. Washington High and Dorsey Elementary Schools; Whereas, Mrs. Edwards, an advocate for education and physical fitness, is recognized in Who's Who in American Education, and received the Florida State Teacher Award from the Florida State Chamber of Commerce in 1966 and 1977; Whereas, Mrs. Edwards, a graduate of Florida A&M College (now University), was inducted into the university's Sports Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards from various organizations; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, am proud to pay tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Wright Edwards for her dedication to education and physical fitness, for her commitment to our students, for her contributions to Miami Northwestern Senior High School and to the Miami-Dade County Public School District and for life-long service to our community.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Major Alexander "SMO" Davis, 34, of Lancaster, California--formerly of Goldsboro, North Carolina--on Monday, June 15, 2026. Major Davis made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country when the B-52 Stratofortress he was serving aboard crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, claiming the lives of all eight crewmembers on board Alexander Wesley Davis was born on February 10, 1992, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Douglas and Karen Davis. In 1994, his family moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, the city he considered his hometown. He attended Saint Mary School in Goldsboro from the age of three through eighth grade. He went on to graduate from Charles B. Aycock High School, where he played football as a lineman, competed on the track and field team as a shot-putter, and excelled academically, earning induction into the National Honor Society. His leadership and drive were evident in his youth, as he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2009. Upon graduation, he answered the call to serve his nation through an Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship to North Carolina State University. Alex graduated in 2015 with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, Alex continued his studies, earning a Master of Science in Space Studies from American Military University and a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School. Throughout his distinguished career, Alex served as a Weapon Systems Officer with the 69th Bomber Squadron at Minot Air Force Base and, most recently, the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base. He trained as a Combat Systems Officer at Pensacola Naval Air Station and as a Weapon Systems Officer on the B-52 at Barksdale Air Force Base before deploying to Al Udeid, Qatar, where he flew combat missions. He later deployed to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam and Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. In 2022, Alex was selected for the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, joining the 22A class. Upon completing Test Pilot School, he served with the 419th Flight Test Squadron in support of the B-52 Stratofortress modernization program. He was promoted to Major in April 2025. Alex earned numerous decorations and awards throughout his career, including the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was deeply respected by colleagues and senior officers alike for his dedication, leadership, professionalism, and expertise. He lived by the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Whereas, Sergeant Major Wells is assistant chief of Prosthetics Service at the Bruce W. Carter, Miami VA Healthcare Systems in Miami, Florida, where he has been a compassionate, dedicated and devoted employee for 25 years; Whereas, Sergeant Major Wells has proven himself to be a leader and an advocate for all veterans and has effectively and tirelessly used his expertise to assist many veterans to obtain prosthetic limbs and devices such as electric wheelchairs, scooters, patient lifts and many other instruments to ease any vet's daily task; Whereas, Sergeant Major Wells is the president of two non-profit organizations, the South Florida Chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG) and the Army National Guard Family Support Foundation, which assists deployed soldiers' families with funds to pay bills while the soldier is overseas; Whereas, Sergeant Major Wells has received numerous accolades and awards for outstanding community service which includes helping the elderly, raising money for back-to-school supplies and college scholarships and building homes in Miami's Liberty City and Overtown neighborhoods with Habitat for Humanity; Whereas, Sergeant Major Wells is a decorated, U.S. veteran who served in numerous U.S. operations and conflicts, including the Vietnam Conflict and Operation Iraqi Freedom before his retirement in 2007 which ended 39 years of military service; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, commend Sergeant Major Arthur Wells for his service to our country and for his dedication and commitment to our veterans, their families and to our community.

Whereas, in 1991, as a member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Jeffrey Hamilton was called into the ministry. After moving his membership to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, he was ordained to teach the word of God and went on to serve as the youth minister at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church. In 2006, he was called to pastor at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church and then went on to establish his own church, the New Life Christian Worship Center Family in Miami's Liberty City; Whereas, Pastor Hamilton was considered a beacon of light by his congregation and his community, and was affectionately called "Coach Ham" by the thousands of children he worked with through numerous community organizations, including the Children of Inmates and The Drug Free Coalition, the Miami Dade County School Board, the Healthy Mind Healthy Heart Program, the Hosanna Community Baptist Church Foundation, and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project; Whereas, Pastor Hamilton believed that education is an essential building block to success and, as a strong believer in the expression "practice what you preach," went back to school to farther his education and pursed a master's degree in divinity and special education from St. Thomas University and from Nova University; Whereas, Pastor Hamilton's passion for students was unmatched and he touched the lives of elementary, middle and high school students across Miami-Dade; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, am honored to pay tribute to the late Pastor Jeffrey Hamilton, for his passion and devotion to God, his church, to our students and community.

Whereas, Mrs. Leome Scavella Culmer, a native Miamian and product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1944 and later received a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and English from Bethune Cookman College in 1949; Whereas, Mrs. Culmer was the widow of the Venerable Father John E. Culmer, the rector of St. Agnes Episcopal Church and beloved mother to their five children: Francena Culmer Brooks (deceased), John E. Culmer, XI, Angela M. Culmer, Lona Culmer Shelback and James A. Culmer; Whereas, Mrs. Culmer was a third-generation member of Historic St. Agnes' Episcopal Church where she served as Historian of the parish, President of St. Cecelia's Chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King/ECW, a Vacation Bible School teacher, a member of the Executive Board of St. Agnes' Branch of the Episcopal Churchwomen and a member of the Parish Council; Whereas, for 21 years Mrs. Culmer served as the Chair of the Program Committee of the African American Committee of Dade Heritage Trust and was an advocate for historic preservation through her words, deeds and actions; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, am honored to pay tribute to the late Mrs. Leome Scavella Culmer, for her commitment to God and her church, and for her dedication and devotion to her family, friends and to our community.

Whereas, Mrs. Simmons was a strong supporter of parent teacher associations and other school activities that encouraged children to ensure their growth and development as productive citizens; Whereas, Mrs. Simmons, who knew the value of an education and service to one's country, saw many of her of children graduate from colleges and universities, become educators and lawyers and serve in the United States Army; Whereas, Mrs. Simmons was an active member of Salter's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Miami, Florida; Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, am proud to recognize the late Mrs. Blanche Simmons for her commitment to God and her church, and for her dedication and devotion to her family, friends and our community.

Whereas, Chief Johnson who is a long standing and progressive law enforcement officer, began his career with the University of Kentucky Police Department in 1983. He has spent more than thirty years amassing, diversifying and refining his professional qualifications and his personal attributes. He is well suited to lead Miami Gardens Police Department; Whereas, Chief Johnson transferred his police certification to the State of Florida in 1984 and joined the North Miami Police Department. Being promoted to the rank of Major, he oversaw the Patrol, Community Policing and Administration sections of the department. Having worked in a variety of units and divisions--including patrol, criminal investigations, narcotics, and community policing. Chief Johnson garnered both extensive experience and significant accomplishments as a law enforcement professional; Whereas, in 2010, after serving as North Miami's Interim Police Chief, Mr. Johnson was soon appointed the city's Chief of Police. A year later, he was appointed as Interim City Manager by the North Miami City Council and subsequently selected to serve as City Manager; Whereas, Chief Johnson takes great pride in sharing his wisdom with young people to positively contribute to their growth and development, Chief Johnson has maintained a commitment and has worked tirelessly for many years to assist children serving as a mentor with and through the 5000 Role Model of Excellence Project; Whereas, Chief Johnson is an Adjunct Professor with Barry University for the Public Administration/Policy Program, he also teaches at the University of Phoenix and the Everest Institute; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, commend Chief Stephen Johnson for his dedication to his profession, and for his commitment to serve our community.

Whereas, Bishop Cohen has made numerous contributions to The Church of God and Christ, which include serving on the General Board and as the Chairman of the Constitution Committee, writing the financial plan for the National Church of God in Christ, establishing the Clergy Bureau, spearheading the growth of the Eastern Florida Jurisdiction from eight to fifteen districts, supporting the successful building and operation of a radio in Brasilia, Brazil and sponsoring the Labor Task Force for the renovation of Saints Industrial Junior College; Whereas, Bishop Cohen has served as pastor of the historic A.M. Cohen Temple Church of God in Christ, in Miami, for more than 50 years; Whereas, Bishop Cohen is one of the longest serving pastors of a congregation in Miami's historic Overtown community; Whereas, Bishop Cohen continues the legacy of his father, the late Bishop Amaziah M. Cohen, founder of the A.M. Cohen Temple in Miami in 1923; Whereas, Bishop Cohen has served on many national, state and local boards and advisory councils including the NAACP, YMCA, Governor's Committee on the Black Family (1986), Boy Scouts, Overtown Development, SCLC, and OIC; Whereas, Bishop Cohen served his country bravely as a solider in the United States Army, stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the 82nd Airborne Division; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, a Member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, commend Bishop Jacob Cohen for his commitment to God and spreading God's message, for his devotion to his family and his congregation to our community.